The Blind Young Man from Thandon

Naomi~

As the cold air touched my face, I pulled the cloak over my mouth and started my journey. My senses were on high alert. I surveyed my surroundings and there was only snow and trees as far as the eyes could see. It made me realise just how far I had run with a broken arm and a sick brother. It gave me a bit of faith in myself and my ability to make it back unscathed.

I was going to take the long way around the village. Then get a caravan heading to Farlen where I would find Sharon. I walked a long distance and when I was able to hear human voices only then did I wear the blindfold. It was thin cloth so I could see. The walking stick was just to complete the disguise. The sun was still hiding but it was already beginning to peek through the horizon, colouring the sky with a pale scarlet.

By the time I saw a little girl carrying firewood, I knew that I had made it to Karin's neighbouring village, Mathakat. As I passed by a kiosk, I noticed what I had feared. On it was a poster with my face plastered across it. It read WANTED FOR MURDER.

Who knew how far that lies about me had spread now? I wondered. I continued towards my destination, the caravan park where I would get a transport.

By now the sun had taken over the sky and villagers had begun to come out for their daily activity. The market women were loading their carriages with goods for the market. The men were ploughing the fields, the children were out, most walking to school with their little satchels which would contain slates around their waists. The satchels were made of leather which reminded me of my own goods.

I did all these observing while still pretending not to see. I noticed a few more posters with my face. I needed to leave as soon as possible, I would need a little help and when I saw a middle-aged man was loading items into an average sized cart.

"Dara, where is that boy?" He asked a pregnant young lady who stood in front of the house.

"I have not the remotest clue." She replied.

"Off to gamble, I am sure," His voice filled with disappointment. The man struggled with another barrel until he was able lift it to the back of the cart. It was obvious that the man was in no condition to do such work. He stretched his compressed back and let out a grunt. Then an idea came to mind. I walked right by him and collided with him and let my walking stick fall.

I judged the man right and chose him correctly. "Oh dear," He exclaimed in worry. "My apologies."

In the deepest voice I could muster without sounding odd, I replied. "No, it was my fault. I don't really see where I am going these days." I chuckled lightly. I scrambled for the stick 'that I could not see'. He picked it up for me and laughed at my self-deprecating joke.

He helped me to my feet and dusted me off.

"You are a stranger in these parts, I presume?"

"Yes," I replied. "I am trying to reach Farlen."

"Farlen?" the man repeated incredulously. "That is quite a distance from here and you are planning on getting there on foot."

"Well… yes," I replied. "I am quite used to it. It will take me a week at most."

"Food, shelter?" he asked.

"A man can sleep anywhere and I'll buy food along the way."

"Oh… " he said.

"I'll continue my journey then with my fingers crossed that he would call me back. I had walked a few yards away from him when he called out to me. "Young lad."

I stopped in my tracks and turned. He walked up to me. "I can assist you to get to Farlen but you have to help me out as well."

"I am listening."

"I need someone to load my cart," he said. "I will pay you and still take you to the edge of town to get a caravan you can pay for." he proposed.

"How much if I load the cart?" I questioned.

"Ten vhats,"

"Make it fifteen." For any type of labour, it was normal to be paid between twenty five to thirty vhats. The man thought that I looked like a foreigner and believed I did not know how things worked. But for now I knew I had no choice but to settle for less. He did promise me a ride.

He contemplated for a minute. "twelve vhats."

"Deal."

****

"My name is Victor." I lied. It had taken me ten minutes to load the cart even with a still-healing arm. Now I was sitting in the cart.

"Ronald," He supplied. "Where are you from? "

"Thandon,"

"I have heard of that place." He told me.

"Um…"

"How did you lose your sight?"

"I lost my sight when I was two for reasons still unknown. "

He clicked his tongue in pity. "That is unfortunate. " He turned on his horse to give me a look. "You would have made a fine young man." realising how offensive his comment sounded, he backtracked. "Not that you are not one right now, it is just…"

"Um it is fine… people tell me that a lot. "

There was silence. "How old are you?"

"twenty-two," I replied.

"Why are you travelling to Farlen?"

"Business, " I answered plainly. I was expecting him to ask me more about my 'business' but then there was silence again. "Have you heard about the killer yet?" He asked.

"No," I replied.

"That's no surprise since you can't see."

I said nothing to that.

"It is still so hard to believe that a girl could pull off two murders and an escape."

Again I had nothing to contribute.

"I heard that her younger brother was also an accomplice."

Even though it seemed preposterous that he was trying to push my button by also implicating Abel in the whole affair. I still felt myself getting enraged. I swallowed. Hard.

"Her name is Naomi. Naomi Forger." He paused. "They say she entered the devil's castle."

The mention of my name made my hair stand. "Um… " I said suddenly, afraid that my silence might be giving too much away.

"You are really quiet back there, " he turned on the horse to give me a glance. "You okay?"

"I am just thinking… " I quickly recovered.

"Really? I thought that you were suddenly too scared to speak "

"You could say that." I let out a little chuckle that contradicted starkly with my feelings of uneasiness.

"Don't worry, she is dead, I am sure. The devil would have made sure of that. We are almost at the place," he informed. I breathed a breath of relief but then though the thin material of the blindfold, I noticed some armed men in uniform.

"Stop," One young guard with orange hair commanded.

The old man complied and the horse brought the cart to a halt. My heart hammered against my chest.

"What is this about?" Ronald questioned.

"The killer is still on the loose, we have ordered by the chiefs to search people and vehicles coming in and out.

"There is nothing to check as you can see," Ronald said. "I have my things and a passenger."

"I see," The man stepped closer to take a better look at me. "You are not from here." It was a statement and not a question.

I shook my head, afraid that my voice would fail me.

"Can't you talk?" he demanded.

"I can." I replied. "I am not from here. I am from Thandon."

"Never heard of it," He dismissed. "Get down."